TSA Proposes New $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

Flying without proper identification may soon get more expensive. The Transportation Security Administration is moving forward with a proposal that will charge travelers $18 if they arrive at airport security without a REAL ID, a valid passport, or another approved form of identification.

The proposal comes as TSA tightens enforcement of the REAL ID Act, now fully in effect for air travel. As of May 7, 2025, every traveler age 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant license, an Enhanced Driver's License, a U.S. passport, or another accepted credential to reach secure areas of an airport. TSA officials say most travelers already comply, but the agency still screens thousands of passengers each year who arrive without acceptable ID.

A Shift to Biometric Identity Checks

At the center of the proposal is a new biometric identity system that would verify travelers who arrive without acceptable ID. Instead of pulling several officers to check documents and manually dig through databases, TSA wants to use kiosks that scan a traveler's face and match it to basic information.